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READER INSIGHTS

‘It’s going to be a bleak winter’: How people in Germany are coping with the energy crisis

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, price hikes and fears of energy shortages, Germany is bracing for a difficult winter. In our latest survey, readers told us they were already attempting to cut their energy use and tighten their belts.

Houses covered with snow in Leipzig in winter.
Leipzig pictured in winter. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Jan Woitas

Winter is coming. The ominous refrain from Game of Thrones has felt increasingly relevant this year in Germany. Even before last winter had turned into spring, government ministers were issuing warnings about the next set of cold months looming ahead.

Since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine, energy and consumer prices have spiralled, largely driven by a massive reduction in gas supplies from Moscow.

The situation has prompted a race to fill up gas reserves in Germany for the cooler months. At the same time, Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has been calling on citizens to do their bit and reduce their energy usage. 

He has also predicted four-figure rises in energy bills this year, piling more pain onto those already struggling to cope with rising food and fuel costs.

READ ALSO: What to know about Germany’s new energy saving rules

Have the warnings cut through? 

According to The Local’s latest survey, they have. In a recent poll of readers, 97.5 percent told us they were already taking steps to reduce their energy consumption ahead of the winter.

Cutting energy graph

Source: The Local Energy Survey, August 2022

The reasons for doing so were varied, with 40 percent citing rising costs as their primary concern.

Almost half of the respondents (47.5 percent) said there was more than one reason for their reduction in energy use, including support for Ukraine in the ongoing war, soaring costs, concerns about climate change and heading the government’s advice.

Berlin resident Steve Hammond, 60, said he was trying to be more conscious of his energy use for a range of reasons, but “mainly as a small anti-Putin gesture”.

To minimise his energy consumption, Steve has been taking cold showers and has also installed a pressure reducer to reduce the flow rate in his shower, as well as opting for energy-efficient LED lights throughout the home.

I am lucky to be able to absorb these costs and to support family members but I am concerned for those who are less fortunate,” he told us.

graph showing energy cutting motivation

Source: The Local Energy Survey, August 2022

But Heidelberg resident Seshadri Sreenivas, 40, told us he felt ill-equipped to deal with Germany’s cold season in the ongoing crisis.

“I am a bit nervous as the winter approaches,” he said. “I come from a tropical country where washing a sweatshirt is the maximum preparation required for winter. It is my second winter in Germany and I am worried about whether I have all the required knowledge to know how to act in such situations.”

Energy saving measures

When it comes to energy saving, the vast majority of respondents said they were trying to limit their use of hot water first and foremost.

Several people told us they were taking shorter, colder showers and avoiding using hot water while doing the dishes or washing their hands. 

“We are not using our dryer; taking cooler, shorter showers, and plan to only heat two rooms in our house this winter,” said 39-year-old Berlin resident Paige.

Hilary Raeburn, 75, said she was planning to hold off as long as possible on turning on the heating this winter and would rely on warm clothing until November at least. She’s also been turning off the oven at the mains straight after cooking and taking fewer hot showers to save energy.

However, the Düsseldorf resident said she was “not too worried” about the situation after seeing people pulling together in the community.

“I think Germany will pull through due to strong communal spirit,” she said. “In our flats we are trying to reduce our energy demands collectively.”

With many growing nervous about rising electricity bills, some told us they had already invested in energy-efficient appliances for the home and were increasingly aware of turning off power outlets and lights wherever they could.

“We’ve switched to more energy efficient appliances in the kitchen as the flat came with mostly 90’s appliances, and have changed all lightbulbs to LEDs,” said 30-year-old Berliner Chris. 

Meanwhile, 37-year-old Sierra, who lives in Hannover, said she had turned off all the outdoor lighting and was only using light indoors “when necessary”. 

Others were aiming to make the best use of their offices by charging phones while at work, while one respondent said they had even started taking their showers at the gym rather than at home.

READ ALSO: Cold showers to turning off lights: How German cities are saving energy

‘We’ve cancelled everything we can’

While a handful of people said they felt they could bear the financial strain of the price rises, others were cutting back wherever they could to make ends meet.

“The issue isn’t ‘will I have heat’ but will I be able to afford the heat,” said Hamburg resident Rob Lederman, 62. “Panic buying electric heaters isn’t going to do any good.”

Carl, 33, in Saxony, said his energy use had always been low, even before the crisis. With the soaring prices, there are few ways he will be able to cut back – aside from drastically limiting the heat he uses in winter. 

But even if he only turned on the heat every other day, he fears he still wouldn’t be able to afford it.

“We used to have a surplus each month of about €200,” he told The Local. “With inflation and fuel prices that’s gone. I got a pay rise that was swallowed up too. We currently just about make ends meet.”

The fact that the fuel tax cut and the €9 ticket ended in September will make things even more difficult, Carl said.

Man with coins from wallet

A man takes coins out of his wallet. People told us they were struggling to make ends meet in the current crisis. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Friso Gentsch

“We’ve cancelled almost everything we can. We’ve got a few subscription services left we can cut,” he explained. “Then it’s dipping into savings. But it’s going to be a very bleak winter.”

For 33-year-old Sara Anthony, who lives in Rostock, the situation is similar.

“We don’t really use heat at all in the winter, we like things colder and since Germans like to keep their homes tropical, we find our apartment is still too warm for us in the winter without using any heat ourselves,” she said.

This year, she has avoided using her air conditioner and has tried to keep lights off as much as possible. Even though she doesn’t have any gas appliances, Sarah is concerned that the gas heating in her building could land her with a huge bill for additional costs (Nebenkostenabrechnung) next year. 

“I’m worried about inflation and food prices, and I feel like my paycheck isn’t enough to cover everything like it was in the first part of the year,” she said. 

READ ALSO: Reader question: Should I invest in an electric heater in Germany this winter?

‘A lot of people will suffer’

Despite the countless inventive ways people are attempting to limit their energy use, many of the respondents to our survey expressed a broader sense of helplessness in the face of current events.

“Two years of lockdowns followed now by the unknown energy pressure and costs,” said 54-year-old Munich resident Fiona. “I feel as though we are living on permanently shifting sands. The older we get, the longer we work, the poorer we seem to become.”

Even for those who feel that their wallets can take the strain, there are worries about whether the economy and society as a whole will get through this latest challenge unscathed. 

Newspaper stand in Germany

A woman picks a newspaper from a news stand. The Local’s readers say they feel helpless in the face of current global affairs. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Annette Riedl

“Not keen on the increased costs and the fact that we’ll have to tighten our belt, but more worried for the less well-off and the social fabric at large,” said Hamburg resident Carolyn.

“A lot of people are really going to suffer, and I fear the consequences for society as a whole.”

Jose, 35, from Munich, expressed similar views.

He said he felt “bombarded” by ever-worsening current affairs over the past few years and told us that the current high consumer prices were a constant worry.

“Let’s just hope this is something temporary that will be tackled in the mid-term future,” he said. “Hopefully the war will end.” 

READ ALSO: OPINION: Germany has failed to do its energy ‘homework’ – and faces years of catching up

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GERMAN CITIZENSHIP

Which foreign residents are likely to become German after citizenship law change?

Ahead of the introduction of Germany’s new naturalisation law on Thursday, The Local takes a look at who Germany’s newest citizens may be.

Which foreign residents are likely to become German after citizenship law change?

Germany’s highly anticipated citizenship reform, which comes into effect as of Thursday June 27th, is intended to make Germany more competitive as a destination for skilled workers and also to allow long-term residents an easier path to naturalisation.

The biggest changes to current rules around citizenship include: allowing dual citizenship, reducing the residency requirement from eight years to five, and allowing for birth right citizenship to be extended to children born in Germany to a parent who has resided here for the past five years.

On Monday Business Insider shared data from a legal service provider that specialises in citizenship applications and immigration law to identify trends among those getting ready to apply for citizenship. 

Additionally, The Local previously surveyed 121 of our readers about why they were applying and how the process is going so far.

Here’s what we can say about Germany’s incoming citizens based on those sources.

Gainfully employed long-term residents

Many long-term residents who haven been put off from getting citizenship previously – perhaps due to the stricter rules – will be considering applying now. The majority of applicants for citizenship in Germany are expected to be employed. 

Generally being able to support yourself economically without depending on social benefits like Bürgergeld or long-term unemployment insurance is a prerequisite for German citizenship. Specifically, under the new law you need to have supported yourself for at least 20 months out of the previous 24 before you apply.

READ ALSO: CHECKLIST – What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law?

Business Insider looked at data from 50,000 requests for naturalisation in the first five months of 2024 that was shared by legal service provider PassExperten, which specialises in citizenship and immigration cases.

Of those 50,000 applicants for naturalisation, 86 percent had permanent employment or self-employment. Also, a significant portion had already earned professional credentials within Germany – 43 percent had completed a degree or professional training programme in the country.

READER QUESTION: Can I still get German citizenship after claiming benefits?

Airport plane

For many, access to a German Passport and freedom of movement within the EU are among the most important benefits offered by German citizenship. Photo by Anna Gru on Unsplash

In addition to steady employment, the majority of those applying for citizenship have spent the last decade in the country.

Of the 50,000 applicants reviewed by PassExperten, 60 percent had been living in Germany since at least 2015 and one-third since 2012: “Most of the people from whom we receive an application for naturalisation have been living in Germany longer than the fourth World Cup title,” lawyer Mohamed El-Zaatar told Business Insider.

Of course that number may be expected to fall somewhat following the reform, which will cut the minimum residency requirement from eight years to five. 

Applicants that just barely meet the five year residency requirement would have come to Germany in 2019 – meaning they had been living in the country through the entire Covid pandemic.

Asked what citizenship meant to them, readers of The Local most often highlighted the value of becoming more integrated, gaining the right to vote and securing the right to live and move within the EU.

READ ALSO: What would German citizenship mean to foreign residents?

Where are Germany’s newest citizens coming from?

Statistics show that newly added citizens are a diverse bunch coming from every corner of the globe – people from 157 different countries became German in 2023 according to Germany’s statistical office (Destatis).

In 2023, Syria was the most common country of origin by far, followed by Türkiye, Iraq, Romania and Afghanistan – these countries combined amounted to a little more than half of all the newly naturalised citizens.

But these proportions, as well as the total number of applicants, are constantly changing and have shifted dramatically in recent years. Around the turn of the century, immigrants of Turkish descent – many from the so-called ‘guest worker’ generation who helped rebuild infrastructure after the war – made up the biggest group of incoming citizens. In the following years, the total number of incoming citizens fell significantly until it spiked again last year.

The recent spike in Syrian immigrants is linked to the surge in refugees who came to Germany between 2014 and 2016, many of whom became eligible for German citizenship within the last couple years.

The new law also has carve-outs specifically to encourage people who came to work in Germany following World War II – the so-called guest-worker generation. The government is hoping to to encourage members of this group, some of whom have lived in Germany for 60 years now, to apply for naturalisation.

Meanwhile, Brits – who lost many rights due to Brexit – are also expected to be keen to become German partly to regain EU rights. 

INTERVIEW: Germany’s new citizenship law is ‘historic’ moment for foreigners

But it’s hard to predict how these trends may change in the coming years. For example, the influx of Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion of the country in early 2022 has led immigrants and refugees from Ukraine to outnumber those from Türkiye and Syria in some parts of Germany. 

While the majority of surveyed Ukrainian refugees say they plan to return home following the war, some of those who have integrated well in Germany could eventually be tempted to apply for citizenship, especially to make moving between the two countries easier.

The statistically average applicant is a young married man

PassExperten found that most of the applications for naturalisation it reviewed were submitted by men – at about 70 percent. About 41 percent were married, most of them were childless.

The male-dominant trend is confirmed, if a bit less dramatically, by Destatis data. Of those successfully naturalised in 2023, about 45 percent were women.

A German citizenship certificate and passport.

A German citizenship certificate and passport. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez

The average age of naturalised citizens was 29.3 years, which is about 15 years younger than the average age of Germany’s population.

Abdulghani, 26-year-old Master’s student in Munich from Syria, told The Local that he will apply to naturalise when he’s finished his studies. Having lived in Germany for three years so far, he’ll be close to the average age of Germany’s citizenship applicants by the time he is eligible under the updated law.

He noted that the ability to integrate and naturalise here “means everything” to him and was among the top reasons he chose to study here.

Primarily living in the cities and the west

Interestingly, if not surprisingly, there are dramatic differences in the number of people applying for citizenship from region to region.

The city-states of Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin are home to the largest proportions of citizenship applicants, according to PassExperten, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia.

The five states that make up former East Germany – Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – are home to the smallest share of new citizenship applicants. Combined, they account for about seven percent of the country’s naturalisation applications. 

READ ALSO: How does Germany’s ‘phantom border’ still divide the country?

In comparison, Berlin accounts for about eight percent by itself.

This aligns with results to our readers’ survey – the majority of respondents were living in major cities or towns in west Germany. 

But there were a few readers in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg who said they were getting ready to apply for citizenship this year.

For Nida, 28, who lives in Thuringia, Germany is the “land of ideas”. She adds that her motive to naturalise is to “be part of the culture and society where [she] can contribute to science”.

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